Electric-assist bikes provide a great recreational option in rural areas where the scenery is beautiful, the roads are less congested, but the hills are a challenge! New Gloucester and the surrounding area is just such a place. Plus, the New York Times recently reported on The Surprising Health Benefits of an Electric Bike. With these bikes, you get a fun workout through the heart of a charming Maine village. Take one of our suggested routes or pick your own. Either way, it will be a blast.

HOW THEY WORK

How to ride a Stomer electric-assist bike.

E-bikes work like regular bikes, yet provide riders additional power on tough hills and gradual inclines. The bike senses when you need an extra boost to make it up a hill without panting or needing to walk that last quarter mile. Unlike a scooter or moped, riders still have to pedal, the ride can be a workout (if you choose) but you don’t have to be a super-fit biker to conquer those hills. Pedal-assist technology makes for a truly enjoyable and smooth ride – uphill or down. A ride without panting or sweating! Just fun.

The bike is powered by a battery that lasts for about 4 hours – depending on the power setting. A gauge on the digital control panel measures battery life, so riders can monitor energy use or determine when it is time to turn around and head back to the yurts. In addition to reporting battery life, the control panel enables riders to customize & monitor distance, time, and speed.

Our bikes have four power settings –“ eco”, “city”,” tour” and “power”. On rides where there will be challenging hills and the terrain is variable, we recommend new riders start with the “power” setting – the setting that provides the highest level of assistance.

They also reported finding the riding to ‘be a blast,’ said William Byrnes, the study’s senior author and director of the university’s Applied Exercise Science Laboratory. ‘It’s exercise that is fun.’

— New York TImes

As you get used to the bike, it’s fun to experiment with the other settings! The “eco” setting provides the least assistance and requires the most physical effort. If you want an extra workout, if the terrain is even, or to reduce battery use, “eco” is the best option. The “tour” setting is perfect when the ride includes fewer steep inclines and more rolling terrain. Regardless of setting, riders control the amount of power using the gear shifts - just like a regular bike. If you stop for a walk, or something to eat, the bike automatically shuts off and conserves the battery.

Bike rentals include helmets and bikes are equipped with bike racks and packs. Three rentals times are available:

4 hrs in the MORNING from 8 am to 12 pm - $40

4 hrs in the AFTERNOON from 1 pm to 5 pm - $40

9 hrs from 8 am to 5 pm - $80

We have 4 bikes available - 2 men's style (PINE and FOREST) and 2 women's style (MOSS and FERN). FOREST is a larger frame for people over 6' tall.

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Norumbega Cidery and the Norumbega Hard Cider brand are the efforts of the Fralich family. We believe strongly in the history and traditions of rural Maine and the contributions they have made. Cider is an important part of that history, and we are here to bring it back to life! The cidery is operated by our son, Noah.

Queen Beet Designs makes vegetable empowerment (and super soft) t-shirts to inspire you to grow food and take action. It is owned and operated by our daughter, Laura.